St. Louis @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2012 ) St. Louis 6, Chi. Cubs 3
The St. Louis Cardinals take a six-game winning streak and the best record in the National League into Wrigley Field to begin a quick two-game set with the rival Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. The six-game streak is the longest in three seasons for the Cardinals, who have opened a three-game lead over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the NL Central. The Cubs snapped a four-game skid with a 9-2 victory over Texas on Monday, but remain in last place in the division.
Both teams have had trouble with the back end of their bullpens. St. Louis recently learned closer Jason Motte will need season-ending elbow surgery and the Cardinals sent his initial replacement - Mitchell Boggs - to the minors after racking up a 12.66 ERA. The Cubs have settled on Kevin Gregg as their closer - at least temporarily - and hope to have right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa back from the disabled list soon to bolster the relief corps.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (5-0, 2.75 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (2-2, 2.50)
Lynn has won 10 straight decisions dating to last season, the longest active streak in the majors. He has earned the win in his last five starts, going seven innings and allowing one run or fewer in each of the last three. Lynn is 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA in five games (four starts) against the Cubs and won all four starts against them last season.
Wood has notched six straight quality starts to open the season and has pitched much better than his record indicates. He held San Diego to three runs over 7 2/3 innings his last time out, but his defense and bullpen let him down in a 4-2 loss. Wood is 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA in six starts against the Cardinals, including an 0-2 mark last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina, who is hitting .444 during a seven-game hitting streak, is 4-for-14 with two homers against Wood.
2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is riding a seven-game hitting streak and has four three-hit games since April 26. Rizzo is 3-for-5 with a homer against Lynn.
3. The Cubs have not won a game in which they've allowed four runs or more and have lost nine games they have led at some point.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Cubs 3